AO 2013-01 (1787 National Committee, Inc.). On May 9, the Commission concluded that because the 1787 National Committee, Inc. (1787) has not yet placed any candidates for federal office on any ballot, 1787 does not yet come within the definition of a “political party” under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended, (the Act) and Commission regulations. Accordingly, 1787 is not yet the “national committee” of a political party within the meaning of the Act and Commission regulations. During the open meeting discussion, the Commission heard from the Chairman of the 1787 National Committee, Inc.

Advisory Opinions and Requests are available through the Advisory Opinions search page in the Law and Regulations section of the Commission website.

ADMINISTRATIVE FINES

The Commission made public eight campaign finance enforcement matters that were resolved through its Administrative Fines (AF) program.

AF 2545 – Gary Smith for Congress and Gary Smith, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $990.

AF 2574 – Bruce Peller for Congress and Paula Andrea Henao, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $250.

AF 2575 – Byron Georgiou for Senate and Matthew Dickson, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $78.

AF 2577 – Connecticut for Peter Lumaj and Anton Rukaj, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $250.

AF 2580 – Dr. Noren for US Senate and Richard Parker, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $230.

AF 2584 – Jackson Eaton for Congress and Jillian E. O’Malley, in her official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $250.

AF 2592 – Q. Byrum Hurst for Congress and Quincy B. Hurst, III, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination assessed a civil penalty of $250.

AF 2605 – Friends of Sharron Angle and Robert Fee, in his official capacity as treasurer. The Commission made a final determination and assessed a civil penalty of $25,725.

Van Hollen v. FEC (Case 1:11-cv-00766-ABJ). On May 1, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued a memorandum opinion and orderdenying the Intervenor-Defendant Center for Individual Freedom’s motion for leave to file an amended and supplemental answer and cross-claims.

Wagner v. FEC(Case 12-5365). Oral argument is scheduled for May 16 in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

OUTREACH

On May 8, Chair Ellen L. Weintraub discussed the role and work of the Commission with a group of civic and governmental leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa as part of the State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program.

On May 10, Communications Specialist Travis Drake discussed the Commission’s administration and enforcement of federal campaign finance laws with a group of European political and governmental leaders as part of the State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program.

May 22, Federal Election Commission, Washington, DC. “Seminar/Webinar for Trade Associations, Labor Organizations, Membership Organizations and their PACs.” Additional information is available on the Educational Outreach page of the Commission website.

UPCOMING REPORTING DUE DATES

May 20: May Monthly Reports are due. For more information on monthly reporting dates, refer to the 2013 Monthly Reporting page of the Commission website.

Instructional videos are available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/FECTube?feature=watch. These videos are also available on the Commission's E-Learning resources page at http://www.fec.gov/info/elearning.shtml.